Take evasive action
verb phrase
To quickly do something to avoid danger or trouble.
Seeing the other car coming directly at him, he took evasive action and swerved to the side.
Often appears as...
- driver took evasive action
- pilot took evasive action
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Urgency Implied
Suggests immediate action. When someone takes evasive action, they act without delay.
The presence of smoke caused the crew to take evasive action.
Pro Tip 2/3Danger Averted
Action is to avoid a potential hazard. It is a response to an imminent threat.
To avoid the collision, the cyclist had to take evasive action.
Pro Tip 3/3Quick Reflexes
Often involves instinctive reactions. It's not preplanned but a spontaneous response.
The hikers took evasive action when they stumbled upon a bear.
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